Charity cycle ride after tragic deaths smashes its target
ACHARITY cycle ride inspired by the tragic death of parents who died from brain tumours only weeks apart has already passed its £5,000 target.
As we reported last month, Steve Morrissey and his partner Ali Slaymaker left behind their only daughter.
Following 49-year-old Ali’s death in August last year, Steve and their 13-year-old daughter moved from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, to Cullompton to live with Steve’s sister.
However, the 50-year-old passed away at Exeter hospice Searle House on October 12.
He was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the fastest growing type of brain tumour after suddenly suffering a seizure out of the blue.
He had stopped working before his death, which enabled him to move to Devon in the autumn of 2023.
Since his death his nephew, Ben Brown, from Tiverton, has realised just how underfunded brain tumour research is and it has inspired him, other family members and Steve’s work colleagues to organise an epic 280-mile fundraising bike ride.
Staring on June 6, they will cycle from Bury St Edmunds to Cullompton – which was Steve’s final journey – in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
It will take four days, with the ninestrong group having to cycle 70 miles each day.
They set a target to raise £5,000 but at the start of this week had already hit £5,210, with more than 200 people donating to the fundraiser.
Ben, a construction worker, said: “Before my uncle collapsed there had been no warning. He was fit and healthy.
“We lost both him and Ali in such a short space of time. It really is heartbreaking the whole situation.
“Thankfully their daughter is doing amazing considering what she been through. She is astonishing.”
Ben and the team have been training hard to complete the challenge close to their hearts.
“It was important to plan a challenge the whole family can take part in. I wanted it to be something where you have to put effort into the organising and doing,” he said.
“The strength my little cousin, Mia, has shown is incredible and she is going to be setting us off at the start line and cycling with us for the final leg to Padbrook Park, Cullompton.
“We’re a close family and this disease has brought us even closer.
“By the end of his life, Steve was taking 15 tablets a day; it was horrible to see someone you love and look up to deteriorate in front of your eyes.
“I’m angry that he is no longer here. We’re in 2024 – there has to be better treatment options for brain tumour patients.
“They are surely worth more than the 1% funding that brain tumour research currently receives.
“I wanted to do something for my uncle in his memory and, even more importantly, raise money for Brain Tumour Research because it is so underfunded.
“While we’re not anticipating breaking any land speed records, we are aiming to complete the 280 miles, finishing in Cullompton on Sunday afternoon.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
“Watching how brain tumours rip families into pieces has made me realise we need to help make a change and I am attempting to do that by doing something positive.”
To donate to the fundraiser, see https://www.justgiving.com/page/ stevesride.
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